The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1887-02-06

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Burnetts charming play, "Esmeralda,'
proved a delight to the audience and wor
new laurels for the Asheville 'sAmateurs.'
The little drama bears especial signif
cance for all Western North Carolinians
having the scene laid "under the shadow
of old Baldy."
The cast was as follows:
The Lydia Ann" of Mrs. Herrick-a
role of much difficulty-was most de.
lightfully vivid, portraying as it did
"Mothers high spirit" with fire and
vigor which would have done credit to a
professional of the Madison Square The
atre, and which never faltered from the
moment in which she separates her
daughter from 'Dave,'' whom she has
1known SO long," until the scene at the
end Were she utterly refuses toacknowl-
edge herself overcome and always knew
there was something wrong with the
Marquis anyhow"
Mr.. Child, as '.Old Man Rogers" gave
a pathetic, simple and beautiful concep-
ton of very beautiful and exceedingly
difficult part It would be hard to find
anywhere an amateur to whom this role
could have been as safely entrusted.
"EsmeraIda" (played by Miss Dora
Newton) was most perfect creation we
we.e charmed with her on her first en-
trance without the corn forsupper," but
our enthusiasm and that of the entire
audience knew no bounds when in the
3rd act she defies her mother and vows
to follow Dave 'if it is on foot and 90 a
thousand miles" The tableau with
which the act closes was tx Iuisi e, Es-
merelda, in her superb dress, falls full
length, fainting, while the "Old Man."
leaning over his darling, waves back Mrs.
Rogers, and his voice, broken with grief,
says: Stand back, Lydia Ann, faint
fur you to tech her now seems like she's
gone back to North Caliny in spite ofye."
Too much praise cannot be given Mr..
Ernest Price for his rendition Of the dou-
bic role, "Drew" and the marquis" In
the first he is the keen business man. in
tent on making good bargain" In the
second we find him completely trans.
formed into the unscrupulous, supercili-
GUS manof the world. His French accent
was remarkably well done and his acting
throughout was polished, graceful and
without fault.
The charming, easy nonohalance of DR..
Battles Desmond" brought out the
highest appreciation of the audience; he
was especially delightful in the dialogue
with "Nora" in the third act.
We hear rumors of other performances
to follow this; it is to be hoped that in
another play the Doctor will have role
of greater difficulty than the simple one
of Jack, and therefore one more calcu-
lated to do justice to his very unusual
talent.
"Dave Hardy" (the lover) as played
by Mr.. Herbert Price, evinced careful
study and thorough understanding
of the part; he was exceedingly
good in solilogeny in the first act
e 6st 68t &1 &a RsFg g 595
in the 10Th Century do not make prac-
tice ofstandlng around talking in empha
tic tones, with only themselves for aud
ience, the little stage business of whittl-
ing the stick, and dropping in moment
of excitement was very effective. The
Kate of Mrs. A. J. Lyman "took" re-
markably with the audience; her rendi-
ton of the role was spirited and bright,
and she won enough applause to have
thoroughly elated an "old stager."
Mrs. Theodore Bewedick Lyman as
"Nora" displayed talent in three scenes
that with Jack" in Rogers" drawing
room, during the ball; with "Estabrook"
in the same act, and the love scene with
him in the closing act in the studio. We
are compelled to state in all fairness of
spirit that considering the former expert
ence of Mrs. Lyman in this role, she by
no means came up to our expectation of
the way she should render it.
"Estabrook" (Mr. Gale) was easy, con-
sistant and delightful throughout the
play. Mr.. Gale is as entirely free from
any affectations or "staginess" "a thing
80 distinctly Objectionable in amateurs)
as any amateur we have ever, or could
wish to see.
Mr.. 7. B. Lyman was stage manager
and director, and the smoothness and
freedom from mishaps $50 painfully
characteristic of amateur theatricals)
with which the performance was produc-
ed. we beg to state was due to the imam
agement." The stage setting was all good
the studio scene was wonderfully
pretty, etc.
We are requested by the "troupe" to
express many thanks to the Asheville
Band, which formed no small part of the
delightful evening for Sweet Charity's"
sake.